Future Green Belt development discussed by Government minister

Councillors from Hertsmere met with the Government’s planning minister in Westminster this week to discuss concerns of residents and the authority about future planning and housing requirements in the borough.

Organised by Hertsmere MP James Clappison, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council Morris Bright was joined by executive member for planning and localism Councillor Dr Harvey Cohen and executive member for housing, Councillor Seamus Quilty to meet planning minister Nick Boles MP.

Among the topics of discussion were concerns about the need for potential future Green Belt development with Hertsmere being over 80 per cent green belt land and with almost all brownfield sites now allocated for housing, along with the need for more affordable homes including key worker housing when prices in the borough are high and often unaffordable.

In addition, it was agreed that closer working on ensuring the correct infrastructure - including roads, schools and medical facilities - is in place for development go ahead.

The final discussion were based around giving people more say about their areas, when planning inspectors often overrule those views.

Councillor Quilty said after the meeting: "Hertsmere is in the rare position of having so much green belt and such high valued land. We must though work out ways of ensuring more affordable housing for those residents who want their families to live nearby and for key workers such as nurses and teachers. Nick Boles understood that and we began to talk about ideas for seeing how we could make that happen in the future."

Councillor Morris Bright added: "We were pleased to find that the Government understands the issues being faced by residents in Hertsmere and is prepared to work with us to help move matters forward.

"I have extended an invitation to the Minister to come and visit Hertsmere and see for himself some of the planning and housing issues we face and we hope to be able to welcome Nick Boles MP to Hertsmere in the future."

Comments

If the government wants to build on green belt, it will. Just look at Three Rivers where the local LibDems just rolled over to have their collective tummies tickled.

This LibDem/Conservative government wants to build on the Green Belt. So it will. The Green Belt is under threat, yet again.

That's what you get for voting Tory or LibDem.

Ukip on the other hand are committed to protecting the Green Belt.

How will you vote in 2014 and 2015?

Yet another good reason to vote Ukip and not Tory or LibDem.

I don't know about Labour, I'm not sure they have any policies to speak of yet.

Boles the builder.
If the government wants to build on green belt, it will. Just look at Three Rivers where the local LibDems just rolled over to have their collective tummies tickled.
This LibDem/Conservative government wants to build on the Green Belt. So it will. The Green Belt is under threat, yet again.
That's what you get for voting Tory or LibDem.
Ukip on the other hand are committed to protecting the Green Belt.
How will you vote in 2014 and 2015?
Yet another good reason to vote Ukip and not Tory or LibDem.
I don't know about Labour, I'm not sure they have any policies to speak of yet.Phil Cox - UKIP Mayoral candidate for Watford

Boles the builder.

If the government wants to build on green belt, it will. Just look at Three Rivers where the local LibDems just rolled over to have their collective tummies tickled.

This LibDem/Conservative government wants to build on the Green Belt. So it will. The Green Belt is under threat, yet again.

That's what you get for voting Tory or LibDem.

Ukip on the other hand are committed to protecting the Green Belt.

How will you vote in 2014 and 2015?

Yet another good reason to vote Ukip and not Tory or LibDem.

I don't know about Labour, I'm not sure they have any policies to speak of yet.

Score: -1

Harry Caine
6:46pm Thu 27 Mar 14

As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:

http://www.yourbrita
in.org.uk/

As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:
http://www.yourbrita
in.org.uk/Harry Caine

As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:

http://www.yourbrita
in.org.uk/

Score: 2

Phil Cox - UKIP Mayoral candidate for Watford
10:01pm Thu 27 Mar 14

Harry Caine wrote…

As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:

http://www.yourbrita

in.org.uk/

You should try to improve your understanding. It must be embarrassing for you.

[quote][p][bold]Harry Caine[/bold] wrote:
As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:
http://www.yourbrita
in.org.uk/[/p][/quote]You should try to improve your understanding. It must be embarrassing for you.Phil Cox - UKIP Mayoral candidate for Watford

Harry Caine wrote…

As far as I understand UKIP is somewhat similar to a one-club-golfer when it comes to policy, the clue is in the name.
Labour, on the other hand, have policies covering all aspects of Government here:

http://www.yourbrita

in.org.uk/

You should try to improve your understanding. It must be embarrassing for you.

Score: -2

LSC
12:23am Fri 28 Mar 14

"Councillor Quilty said after the meeting: "Hertsmere is in the rare position of having so much green belt and such high valued land."

Er, no. We don't have highly valued land BECAUSE IT IS GREEN BELT AND YOU CAN'T BUILD ON IT. It is worthless. Not worth a brass razoo. Not a penny. Nadda. Zero. Ziltch in real terms. You might get a few quid from grazing horses on it, but that's your lot.

Unless, of course, you walk around seeing pound signs everywhere you look. And who would do that if those pound signs were of no benefit to themselves?

Perhaps they think 200 cheap flats are just a general benefit to the community, you know with all those empty school places and local GP's having nothing to do half the time. The Victorian sewage system can easily cope, we are overun with bus routes, we have so many power stations that they don't know what to do with the electricity. The extra traffic is no problem, we don't have jams around here and the roads we have are well maintained. Parking in Hertsmere is free and convenient.

I see no problem in bulldozing our fields and forests and getting some developers in pronto.

It isn't like anyone would make a fast buck out of it; It is the community thing to do.

"Councillor Quilty said after the meeting: "Hertsmere is in the rare position of having so much green belt and such high valued land."
Er, no. We don't have highly valued land BECAUSE IT IS GREEN BELT AND YOU CAN'T BUILD ON IT. It is worthless. Not worth a brass razoo. Not a penny. Nadda. Zero. Ziltch in real terms. You might get a few quid from grazing horses on it, but that's your lot.
Unless, of course, you walk around seeing pound signs everywhere you look. And who would do that if those pound signs were of no benefit to themselves?
Perhaps they think 200 cheap flats are just a general benefit to the community, you know with all those empty school places and local GP's having nothing to do half the time. The Victorian sewage system can easily cope, we are overun with bus routes, we have so many power stations that they don't know what to do with the electricity. The extra traffic is no problem, we don't have jams around here and the roads we have are well maintained. Parking in Hertsmere is free and convenient.
I see no problem in bulldozing our fields and forests and getting some developers in pronto.
It isn't like anyone would make a fast buck out of it; It is the community thing to do.LSC

"Councillor Quilty said after the meeting: "Hertsmere is in the rare position of having so much green belt and such high valued land."

Er, no. We don't have highly valued land BECAUSE IT IS GREEN BELT AND YOU CAN'T BUILD ON IT. It is worthless. Not worth a brass razoo. Not a penny. Nadda. Zero. Ziltch in real terms. You might get a few quid from grazing horses on it, but that's your lot.

Unless, of course, you walk around seeing pound signs everywhere you look. And who would do that if those pound signs were of no benefit to themselves?

Perhaps they think 200 cheap flats are just a general benefit to the community, you know with all those empty school places and local GP's having nothing to do half the time. The Victorian sewage system can easily cope, we are overun with bus routes, we have so many power stations that they don't know what to do with the electricity. The extra traffic is no problem, we don't have jams around here and the roads we have are well maintained. Parking in Hertsmere is free and convenient.

I see no problem in bulldozing our fields and forests and getting some developers in pronto.

It isn't like anyone would make a fast buck out of it; It is the community thing to do.

Score: 2

John Dowdle
1:06am Fri 28 Mar 14

Aren't these the same people who supported the eruv? Now you know why.
They are all looking forward to an golden bonanza from discarding green belt status from large parts of Bushey and Hertsmere.
The developers are licking their lips, just waiting to clean-up big.
It was nice to learn that 'it was agreed that closer working on ensuring the correct infrastructure - including roads, schools and medical facilities - is in place for development go ahead.' That, of course, is if you really believe it.
If only the same could be said for the West Watford flood plain area.

Aren't these the same people who supported the eruv? Now you know why.
They are all looking forward to an golden bonanza from discarding green belt status from large parts of Bushey and Hertsmere.
The developers are licking their lips, just waiting to clean-up big.
It was nice to learn that 'it was agreed that closer working on ensuring the correct infrastructure - including roads, schools and medical facilities - is in place for development go ahead.' That, of course, is if you really believe it.
If only the same could be said for the West Watford flood plain area.John Dowdle

Aren't these the same people who supported the eruv? Now you know why.
They are all looking forward to an golden bonanza from discarding green belt status from large parts of Bushey and Hertsmere.
The developers are licking their lips, just waiting to clean-up big.
It was nice to learn that 'it was agreed that closer working on ensuring the correct infrastructure - including roads, schools and medical facilities - is in place for development go ahead.' That, of course, is if you really believe it.
If only the same could be said for the West Watford flood plain area.

Score: 2

LSC
2:09am Sat 29 Mar 14

I couldn't possibly comment John. Literally more than my job is worth.

I couldn't possibly comment John. Literally more than my job is worth.LSC

I couldn't possibly comment John. Literally more than my job is worth.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here